Born on Halloween: Richard Morris Hunt

Gilded Age architect Richard Morris Hunt was born on October 31, 1827. Living during an era when American business leaders amassed huge fortunes, Richard Morris Hunt became known for designing palatial and sometimes spooky homes. Among his works are these Newport, Rhode Island mansions:

• Breakers Mansion for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, whose ghost is said to wander the lavish rooms.
• the $11 million Marble House for railroad baron William K. Vanderbilt
• the lavish renovation of Beechwood for the fabulously wealthy William and Caroline Astor. Visitors have reported strange noises, cold spots, and candles blowing out by themselves.

^{Photo: Astors' Beechwood © John W. Corbett, www.corbettphotography.net}